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Bridal veil falls ice festival

John Ross · · Wasatch Front, UT · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 2,580
Allen Sanderson wrote:As such, one does not want to be anywhere under any of the climbs except for perhaps Stairway. And even then it will be questionable.
The BV ice festival sounds like great fun! Hopefully it can be adjusted for conditions and be as safe as possible. As hinted above the Stairway can certainly slide too. It may not have the monster avy's like BV chute sometimes has, but the sloping steps up the Stairway can store unstable snow that does let loose on occasion with enough punch to knock a leader off the ice.

One time we were climbing a bit of ice to the right side of P2 of the Stairway on a warm-ish afternoon. We heard a distant rumble above that turned into a roar so we ducked for cover. A wet slide came shooting down the Stairway that packed a good amount of force and wind, and covered us in spindrift. Fortunately no one was directly in its path at the time. Unfortunately the “right avy conditions” pay no attention to plans for festivals.
Warbonnet · · Utah, India and Cambodia · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 630

Don't know the logistics of this (access, legality, methods, liability) but maybe those who know what they are doing (patrollers) can "pull" those potential avi's down if they appear to be a threat. Yeah, I know.....lots of problems in doing so.

Allen Sanderson · · On the road to perdition · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 1,203

The lower part of the Provo canyon area is on private land. I.e. Stairway, BV falls, and further up canyon. There are times that UDOT will shoot the canyon. To my knowledge though they do not shoot that side of the canyon because the slides typically do not impact the highway.

Warbonnet · · Utah, India and Cambodia · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 630
Allen Sanderson wrote:The lower part of the Provo canyon area is on private land. I.e. Stairway, BV falls, and further up canyon. There are times that UDOT will shoot the canyon. To my knowledge though they do not shoot that side of the canyon because the slides typically do not impact the highway.
I know it's late in the game....maybe too late.....but I wonder if UDOT would accommodate the festival? Good PR for them but probably a bureaucratic hurdle they couldn't overcome. But just shooting doesn't guarantee the troubles are over. Just wondering......
Dan.C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 0

Good points everyone on the Avalanche conditions. We have been actively looking at the situation and have been in contact with the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) as well as with the UDOT avalanche controllers discussing a plan of action for the festival. Our current plan is to monitor what this storm brings and specifically to look at what the situation is at the Stairway to Heaven area (the only area being considered). As mentioned in the above thread the Stairway shelves can be an issue and for this reason we will be looking closely at what this storm brings over the next few days discussing the plan with the UAC and UDOT. However, based on what the storm is predicted to bring at the elevation of the Stairway things are looking positive for us to hold the festival there. We will be updating this thread each day as we move closer to the event.

Sunny-D · · SLC, Utah · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 700

Just a heads up. UDOT does shoot the bridal veil side of the canyon on a semi regular basis. I have talked with them several days, that they are down there. They are pretty cool when you take an interest in what they are doing. They have shown me areas on a map that they are doing control work in.
Dallen

Warbonnet · · Utah, India and Cambodia · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 630

Dallen,

Thanks for the info; I've heard from many today (Thurs) re: what's with the avi's and whether the festival is still on. Obviously it is.

Thanks much.

Dan.C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 0

Hello everyone, yes it still on and were excited for you all to come out! I just spoke with several avalanche professionals and the things are looking good for us to continue with the plan to run the climbing at Stairway. UDOT will not be shooting the Bridal Veil Falls drainage as they don’t see there is a reason at this time. To do so they would need to coordinate with several agencies as well as close the road. Excited to have you come out!!!

Dan.C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 0

In case you haven't seen the schedule on line here it is:

Saturday (Feb 1st) -
7:30 am – 8:15 am Specialized Clinic Demos Check Out (Stairway, Provo Canyon)
8:30 am – 4:00 pm Ice Clinics (Stairway Area) ($79, includes equipment and all day instruction. (Scott Adamson / Andy Knight / Matt Tuttle)
8:30 am – 4:00 pm Come and Swing on the Ice 1-2 Laps (Stairway Area, Provo Canyon) Perfect for first timers and for those wanting to get some more climbing in. (Cost $15 Equipment / Instruction Provided (Stairway Area, Provo Canyon)
Time Slots are 8:30 / 9:45 / 11:00 / 12:15 / 2:45 (Come 30 Minutes Early). Hike can be slow for some. If you fit that category come earlier to give you ample time.

10:00 am and 1:00 pm Snowshoe Clinics ($Free)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Contests (Slack Lining, Ice Tool Toss, & More) ($Free)
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Presentation Stacy Taniguchi and Scott Adamson (UVU Room SC 206 A,B,C / Student Center)
9:45 pm After Party - (at Bridal Veil Parking Area) Live music, heated tent, bonfire, and more. (Open to all who participate in Come and Swing program, ice clinics, snowshoe clinics or presentations)($10 reg /$5 with Student Card and free for participants from day activities)

Register in advance to secure your spot with Linda at 801-874-5361

Sean H · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 120

Had a blast! Hope everyone else did.

Much thanks to the organizers, and hope the fest keeps going.

Abe Tomco · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 0

Yes, thanks Dan for all your work. Great festival! Thanks to Matt T for all your work too. Great to get to know you. Until, next year

Aerili · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 1,875

Thanks much for organizing the event! I met Dan Saturday night at the slideshows and after party and he is a super nice and swell guy, incredibly down-to-earth.

Also, the documentaries about Jeff Lowe and the FA of Colorado's Bridal Veil Falls were seriously awesome.

My only lingering question is....what is it about ice/alpine climbers that puts in them the desire to always use Metallica as their video compilation soundtrack?? It's almost downright hilarious!!

Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130
Aerili wrote: the documentaries about Jeff Lowe and the FA of Colorado's Bridal Veil Falls were seriously awesome.
What do I got to do to get to see that? Is there a link. a website, a download, a DVD?
So far this is what I've found.
supertopo.com/climbing/thre…
CozellaTH · · Idaho Falls, Idaho · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 30

Kevin,

I don't know if either video is public released yet. The Jeff Lowe documentary was called "Metanoia" you might be able to find it that way.

If I find a link I will add it here.
chesslerbooks.com/item/805-…

This is a link for the Bridal Veil Colorado FA

Spencer Weiler · · Grand Junction · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 2,638
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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